Director, CDU Academy of the Arts

Fixed Term, Full Time Appointment (3 Years)Senior Employment ContractDual location between at Casuarina and Dalana | Education and Community Precinct Provide high-level strategic leadership and operational oversight to support the development and growth of the CDU Academy of the Arts. About the Position CDU Academy of the Arts will build upon the traditions, cultures, values, and contemporary practices of Northern Territorians, and will nurture visual and performance arts practitioners by delivering high calibre contemporary visual arts education and experiences as well as incorporating research throughout all regions of the Northern Territory. As the Director, CDU Academy of the Arts , you will work with the PVC to achieve high level strategic leadership, and drive operational and project outcomes of the Academy and more broadly across the Creative Arts disciplines to enable the successful attainment of the faculty objectives for all students at CDU, vocational and higher education, international and domestic, award and non-award. You will hold responsibility developing professional relationships with key internal and external stakeholders and overseeing the day-to-day operations, ensuring the implementation of a risk management plan, monitoring timeframes and the budget, along with staffing, financial and space management, to identify and support opportunities for growth and ensure clear and sustainable processes. What You’ll Do: Work with the PVC, Faculty of Arts and Society in setting the strategic direction and ongoing success of the Creative Arts at CDU. Identify and develop strategic opportunities that will support the growth and sustainability and/or collaborative activities for the faculty. Bring CDU’s Strategic Plan to life in the context of the Academy, socializing it with every level of the team and ensuring that it informs annual plans, including team plans across the performance, visual arts and research, and individual staff professional development plans. Together with the PVC, lead an annual planning and review cycle for the Creative Arts in collaboration with key stakeholders, producing an annual business plan that focuses efforts towards areas of strategic importance, ensuring the right work is prioritized and resourced and contributes to the University’s success. Collaborate with senior colleagues in achieving the Strategic Plan KPIs. Monitor progress against the plan, acting swiftly to remove obstacles and identify and manage risks, staying on track to deliver against the annual objectives. Develop a culture of open collaboration and transparency between partners and stakeholders. Drive the development of new knowledge, practices and products to increase two-way knowledge sharing with both internal and external stakeholders. Provide leadership and contribute to the research of the faculty across its fields to ensure excellence in research impact, including development of Creative Research and undertaking HDR supervision Communicate key achievements against the plan, involving staff at every level and in every location to ensure the plan drives activity and that effort and achievements are recognized and rewarded. Provide operational leadership for the Creative Arts and oversee the provision of the day-to-day operations and services, including events and theatre management. Provide effective and efficient development of high-level and complex business proposals and provide expert advice and resolution of complex issues to ensure the ongoing efficiency of operations. Ensure that there are appropriate structures and mechanisms in place for effective governance Support engagement activities, including establishing and managing effective executive committees, strategic working parties and other decision-making processes that will support the effectiveness of the Academy. What we are looking for: A relevant postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline with work in a professional services or similar field, or extensive equivalent level of experience in executive roles, strategic and stakeholder management, in a leadership role and a significant body of knowledge in the field of performing and visual arts. Demonstrated ability to manage the distinct areas of the Creative Arts; performing and visual arts, theory and practice, residencies, theatre and gallery programs and events, and research across the broad field of the creative arts and especially incorporating First Nation peoples. Senior experience in managing administration functions and/or accountability for the integrity and quality of cross‑organisational functions in a highly regulated environment. Proven ability to make significant contributions to the arts sector in relation to business strategy, including assessing threats and opportunities in the external environment and analysing internal strengths and weaknesses. High‑level business planning skills including the ability to manage high impact programs of work, ensuring critical deadlines are met, and that risks, issues and resources are effectively managed. Demonstrated commitment to quality and continuous improvement, including implementing valid and reliable mechanisms to access customer feedback, high‑level analytical skills to supplement feedback with evidence, and a track record of turning feedback into meaningful actions. Highly developed oral, written and interpersonal communication skills, with excellent written skills suitable for writing policies, plans and business cases, and the ability to strongly influence senior stakeholders through outstanding relationship management. Demonstrated ability to lead and participate equitably in positive, highly engaged and productive teams, preferably in a dispersed and complex environment, and to lead teams to successful outcomes, including workforce planning, talent acquisition and capacity building with a professional, creative and proactive approach to problem solving and to achieve goals and objectives. A positive attitude to challenges and the ability to drive change across distributed teams in complex organisations, demonstrating initiative, creativity and innovation in work processes, driven by a commitment to outstanding customer and student experiences. Demonstrated ability to provide leadership management and reports, plans, policies, briefing papers, submissions and other complex documentation to provide recommendations and advice to internal and external stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to provide strategic advice and establish and maintain effective relationships with a diverse range of clients and stakeholders within the arts sector, to prepare and present a range of professional written documents for both university‑wide and external audiences. International recognition as a leader in arts practice will be favourably viewed. Demonstrated knowledge of or experience working within the Higher Education Sector. Postgraduate qualification in business management. Ability to provide direction, influence and lead the Academy with inspiration. First Nations Priority Recruitment Measures While this vacancy is open to all applicants, First Nations applicants are strongly encouraged to apply & will be granted priority consideration for this vacancy, in accordance with s57 of the Anti‑Discrimination Act 1992 (NT) 1992. More information on First Nations Priority Recruitment at CDU and how to apply, available here. Access Full Position Description To view the full position description, please click the Apply link which will direct you to our CDU job site, then select Job Attachments. What’s in it for you? An enviable lifestyle in the spectacular Northern Territory Ability to negotiate transfer of leave entitlements under the Public Employment (Mobility) Act 1989 Four weeks of paid annual leave plus a range of other generous leave provisions Free on-campus parking in designated areas An employer who values your contribution to building a bigger, better and stronger University Work with a University committed to changing people’s lives for the better through training, education and research Recognition of prior service with another Australian university / NT Government for Long Service Leave (recognition applied to qualifying period only) Employee Assistance Program Salary Packaging opportunities How to Apply All applications must be received online via the ‘apply’ button and should include your resume and a cover letter outlining your interest in the role and relevant skills and experience. For a confidential discussion about the position please contact Professor Maneka Jayasinghe, on +61 8 8946 8856 or email ***************@cdu.edu.au Do you need support? CDU endeavours to establish and maintain effective systems and processes that support a flexible and inclusive workplace culture. Adjustments can be made to support you throughout the application and selection process, as well as during employment, in line with the University’s Workplace Adjustment Policy and Procedure. For confidential discussions, reasonable adjustment requests, or further information on workplace inclusion and policies, please contact People Services on 08 8946 62*** or **************@cdu.edu.au. Diversity and Inclusion At CDU, we actively celebrate our diversity, and believe that our differences will make CDU the most connected University in Australia. We are committed to maintaining a culture where every member of our University community feels respected, safe, encouraged to speak up and supported in achieving their professional goals, and that they truly belong. Applications from First Nations people, women at all levels, culturally and racially marginalised people, people with disability, neurotypical and neurodiverse people, LGBTQIA+ people, people with family and caring responsibilities and people at all stages of their careers are welcomed. You make CDU. And we want you to be exactly who you are. Applications Close: Wednesday 26 November 2025 Be careful - Don’t provide your bank or credit card details when applying for jobs. Don't transfer any money or complete suspicious online surveys. If you see something suspicious, report this job ad. #J-18808-Ljbffr